Masters of the House: Tension Builds as Trump and Vance Head to Les Misérables at the Kennedy Center

In an unexpected mix of politics and performing arts, President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance are expected to be in attendance on the opening night of Les Misérables at the Kennedy Center next week, together with their respective spouses: Melania Trump and Usha Vance. The performance will start a month-long staging of the Broadway favorite in Washington, D.C., and it’s not one of those undercover and quiet events as it features not only a revolution-inspired story but also a lot of politics.

Trump, who has been known to use the musical’s song “Do You Hear the People Sing?” in his rallies, talked of his excitement about the upcoming performance. “The music is wonderful! The play, I like. I think it’s great,” he said on Fox News, even going so far as to suggest that they might extend the show’s run.

However, the event signals in the meantime a new direction for the Kennedy Center brought by Trump himself. The president, having come back to the White House, dismissed the head of the center and replaced him with a devoted supporter Richard Grenell as well as took the position of the board’s chair. Trump is convinced that the moves are responsible steps in his fight to “reclaim” the Kennedy Center and in his effort to be the driving force in bringing it back to what he deems its “former glory.”

On the other hand, the renovation has caused much disruption. The change of leadership resulted in the resignation of several famous artists and members of the board, such as Shonda Rhimes, Ben Folds, and Issa Rae. In the wake of the new leadership, the center sees a significant 50% drop in ticket sales, a clear indication of both the art community and the public’s dissatisfaction.

Furthermore, the behind-the-scenes of the event at which Trump and Vance are expected to be present is no good news. According to the reports, 10 to 12 members of the cast and ensemble have taken a stand that they are not coming to the show in order to voice their protest against Trump. The sources also mention that the responsible team gave the option to artists, and there will be some key roles missing on the premiere night.

Responding to the rumors about the protest, Grenell used a strong language. He stated to CNN that even though he did not have any information previously, the Kennedy Center “will no longer fund intolerance.” In addition, he made it clear that those artists who would not be ready to accept people of all colors, regardless of political perspectives, would no longer be part of the Kennedy Center’s shows. “We want the Kennedy Center to be a place where everyone – no matter their political stripe can sit together and enjoy the arts,” he said.

Although the play will begin and the first words be spoken, the real drama will be off the stage. The combination of politics and perhaps performance is slowly escalating the Kennedy Center’s expected transformation of Les Misérables—its timeless war-piece—into a drama of the real world.